Operating mechanism for fluid meters



Nov. 4, 1952 R. E. RISSER, JR 2,516,293

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR FLUID METERS Filed Aug. 17, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 a e.% 2% 7/: M I Qaa; gyea/zefig y M, M 94 Nov, 4, 1952 E. RISSER, JR

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR FLUID METERS 5 Sheets-Sh'eet 2 Filed Aug. 17, 1946 NOV. 4, 1952 N 5 RlSSER, JR 2,616,293

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR FLUIDMETERS Filed Aug. 17, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Wzeya- 4, 1952 R. E. RISSER, JR 2,616,293

I OPERATING MECHANISM FOR FLUID METERS alffoz/ laeyui Nov. 4, 1952 -R. E. RlSSER, JR

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR FLUID METERS Filed Aug. 17, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 6 J 25 z M w M f f I 4 z 5 I a w 0 5 w Z W 2 I 4. 64m 6 y wwfifl I w 6 9; n z 7 8 4 m Q 9 2 3 s M i 5 5 c mu v. Z M W W a A, w# W i ll 2 a /6 A. 1 a a A Jl b w 7 a V. IH a Mr 5 C may i l w c L l| IlVT n & \llflrilfll I A. w g

Mammy/G {Gd/ m M2- 4 ,g $34 Z/M am My, M

Patented Nov. 4, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR FLUID METERS Ross Eugene Kisser, Jr., Bonham, Tex. Application August 17, 1946, Serial No. 691,248

10 Claims.

pumped under pressure from a storage tank to a displacement meter which discharges into a pipe line leading to a flexible hose and nozzle used in such installations for conveying gasoline from the pipe line to the receptacle being filled. The displacement meter ordinarily includes a plurality of pistons reciprocated in cylinders by the pressure of the incoming gasoline and these cylinders discharge into ports and ducts communicating with a discharge passageway in the meter connected to the delivery pipe line of the system. A distributing valve driven by these pistons through the intermediary of a valve operating plate controls the flow of gasoline discharged from the cylinders in such a manner that the incoming gasoline exerts a driving force on the pistons in sequence so that the pistons are reciprocated and the valve-operating plate and valve are operated. Operation of these pistons forces gasoline into the discharge passageway of the meter and from this passageway into the delivery pipe line and the flexible hose and nozzle. 7

' In one form of meter the distributing valve is driven by the pistons through the intermediary of a valve-operating plate, and the .valve in turn is operatively connected to and drives a register which visually indicates the volume of gasoline dispensed and quite frequently the cost of the particular volume which has been dispensed. The present invention is concerned particularly with improvements in these parts of the metering apparatus aimed at producing a better and more accurate operation thereof over a long period of time.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is the provision in a fluid meter of the type above-mentioned of an improved mounting for the valve and valve-operating plate which permits orbital movement of the valve and plate and inaddition permits slight freedom of movement there of angularly so that the path of travel of the valve over the valve seat varies slightly from time to time and as a result the liability of the valve wearing a path on the valve seat is greatly lessened.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved fluid meter. having a valve-operating plate and fulcrum means on this plate which engage with a stationary portion of the meter structure for insuring a positive cut-01f at the top and bottom of each piston stroke without impeding orbital movement of the valve-operating plate and valve.

A further object of the invention is the provi sion of a new and improved fluid meter having means adapted to engage a race on the valve adjustable from the exterior of the meter housing to increase or decrease the length of stroke of the pistons and the orbital tilt of the valve.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved fluid meter having a follower drive pin on the distributing valve and a driving cam on the register driving mechanism engaging the pin, the cam being of such configuration that it forces the valve to travel over an orbital path throughout its cycle of operation and thereby prevents short stroking of the valve so that an accurate reading on the register of the volume of liquid flowing through the meter is obtained- Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved fluid meter having a distributing valve and valve-operating plate so constructed and arranged that the liability of wear on these parts is greatly reduced and as a result the meter remains accurate over extended periods of use.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved fluid meter of simplified and improved construction and arrangement of parts which is inexpensive to manufacture but nevertheless sufliciently sturdy to withstand long periods of use without necessitating repair or major adjustment of the parts and which may be readily adjusted or dismantled for repair.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the ensuing description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings' in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an arrangement of dispensing equipment particu larly suitable for gasoline service stations servicing automotive vehicles;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the fluid meter which may be considered as taken in the direction indicated by the arrows on the line 22 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view, partly in section,'of the improved fluid meter of the present inven- 3 tion with the cover of the meter housing removed to more clearly disclose the operating mechanism of the meter;

Fig. .4 is a top plan view of the base of thb meter housing with the dome-shaped valve seat in position thereon and the distributing valve, valve-operating plate and pistons removed;

Fig. 5. is a topplan view partlyin section of the base of the meter housing with the valveiseat and operating mechanism of the meter removed therefrom;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view showing the valve seat, valve, valve-operating plate,.register..drive cam and piston rods;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional .view taken on the line i-'l of Fig. 3 showing two pistons'of the meter operating mechanismat: opposite extremes in their stroke; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 2 showing the register driving gear train,- the 'drive cam assembly, an"d-the follower drive pin on the'dist'ributing valve.

Referring to- Fig.- 1, it will be-noted 'that the dis pensing equipment to which the-meter or: the present invention may be applied includes asubterranean gasoline storage tank I J having-a 111ling spout 12 through which the tanlr'maybe-replenished extending to'the surface and' an outlet conduit is whichextends upwardly from-a point inside the tank adjacentthe bottom' to the=inlet side of the electrically driven gear pump- IS which draws gasoline from the I tank and forces" it through the dispensing equipment. -A"footvalve 18 having a screened'inlet is secured over' the lower open end of the conduit "M" and astrainer 26 is secured adjacent the inlet chamberof pump 46 so that extraneoussolidspresent-'inthegasoline in the storage tank areexcluded from-the gear pump. it and the other'parts of thedispensing equipment.

From the outlet chamber ofithepump'l E-gasoline is forced through a conduit" 22 and'an air remover 2 l to the inlet manifold 26 leading to a'displacement meterhousing 28. .Ga-soline is discharged from the meter 28 throughza" discharge pipe 29 connected to apipe l'ine'3dwhi'ch isin communication witha flexible hose.32' havinga nozzle. 35 that engagesin the filling opening of 'the receptacle being filled. pipe line is a check valve-35' and a visual'lfiowin- Interposed' in this dicator 38 which has a propeller or other movable indicator mounted therein behind atransparent window in the front wall ofthe indicatorhou'sing. This propeller. is actuated by. gasoline flowing through the indicator, and the indicator is mountedin such aposition "that it can" be observed by the purchaser .so that .he will. know when gasoline is being dispensed. )It .is, preferable to mount the indicator'SBl at the highest point in the delivery line so that if there is anyair in the system, bubbleswill be visible through the'transparent wall of the indicator housing as thegasoline flows therethrough.

lhe system herein disclosed is ofthe'wet'ho'se type so that it remains filled Withgasoline at all pump I6 from tank lc through footvalve 8,0011

vided-with an indicator-to. showthe cost of this amount ofgasoline. .After passingthrough the meter, the gasoline is discharged through a disa charge pipe is into the delivery pipe line 30 and flows through check valve 36, visual flow inoicator- 3d, boss 32, nozzle 3 and into the recepl tacle being filled.

Referringnow to Figs. 2 to 7 wherein the details of the meter are shown, it will be noted that --the meter- 28 comprises a base which forms a cylinder. block and support for the operating parts of a meter and a generally'cylihdrioal shaped dome or cover 48, both of which are preferably castfroman aluminum alloy. The basehas a main body portion that is generally triangular in outline as indicated in dotted lines infiFig. 5.

Cast integrally therewith is acircular top; plate '52Whi0h has a machined upper surface-5 t -A passagewayfiS located on the vertical-axis'of this base extends through the top prateEfi-andtriangular body 56 of thebase and has an enlarged upper end 58 for a purposeto be described hereinafter while the lower 'endof thepassageway'is tapped, as indicated at in Fig-12jfor receiving the threaded end of dis-charge conduit 29which is in communication. at its other. end-with thedelivery pipe line 38 of the dispensing system shown in Fig. 1.

ilntegrally'castin the base' lfi along acenterline equidistant'from its'vertical axisand at intervals equally spaced from each other are-three cylinder Wells 620., 162i). and .620 which extend .verticaliy downwardly throughthe top plate 52 and into the triangular-1 portion 58 of'the..base. .Thesewells formzthe cylinders .inwhich the pistons of, a meter operating mechanism reciprocate; hence, .the cylindrical walls 6 thereof aremachined so that the pistons will snugly engage these Walls and leaking from one side of the pistons to the other will be prevented.

While a basehaving .three cylinders has been disclosed herein, it is to be .understoodlthatj the number of cylinders can be increased'if a meter operating mechanism having more.-than that number of pistons .is-to be used. LInsuchapase, the main body 'fl offthe base willhave tobemade square .or. round in. outline to providelfithe .necessary space for. .theincreasednumber of lcylinderiwells.

' In addition to..the-vertical passageway 56 and cylinder wells 52a, 52b. and 620, the basel l lis also provided with three ducts, 6342,6822 and56c, formed in. the space between the wells. "L The upper. ends of J these ducts terminate" in ports 68a, 68b and 680, respectively, in the top surface 5 3. At their bottom ends, eachofthese ducts communicates withthe bottom of'that cylinder .well which is located to the right of 'theduct; as shown at tdayfilib and fi9c re'spectively, in Fig. 5 which also shows the'pOrtstSa,

68b and 580 in top plate 5d.

Seated upon the top plate 5:2 of the-base '46 centrally thereof is the meter 'operatingme'chanism which is suspended frozn a tubularcolumn 'I'fl capped by-a semi-spherical head for ing a valve seat-"52 and is supported on agenerally triangular-shapedbase M, both .cast '-integrally with the column. This casting may-be formed from any suitable metal such as bronze and --the semi-spherical valve seat 12 is preferably plated with chromium or some other hard metal which has good wear-resisting properties. An arm I6 tapers outwardly from each apex of the base 14 and terminates in a flange I8 which has a-vertical aperture 80 therein.

This triangular-shaped base I4 has a flat bottom'82 which rests on the top plate 52 of base 46 and is provided with a central tubular nipple 84 which projects into the enlarged upper end 58 0f the passageway 56 in the base 46, while the arms 16 and flanges 18 extend outwardly on the top plate 52 over the space between the cylinder wells 62a, 62b and 62c, so that the upper ends .of the cylinder wells are open to the interior of the meter housing over the greater portion "oftheir area, as indicated in Fig. 4. A gasket 86 having openings corresponding to the openingsin the top plate 52 is interposed between the base I4 of the column I0 and the top plate to form a fluid tight union between these parts. Cap screws 88 which pass through the apertures 80- in flanges I8 on the arms of the column base 1 are threaded into tapped opening 90 in the base 46 aligned with the apertures 80. By tightening down these screws the column I0 may be firmly secured to the base 46 of the housing 28.

"When the column is secured in the position above described a centrally located vertically extending passageway 92 therein is in alignment with the passageways 56 in the base 49 in which the discharge conduit 29 of the meter is secured.

Communication through the valve seat I2 to this passageway 92 is established through a triangu lar-shaped port 94 centrally located in the valve seat" on the column I0. This port 94 along with the communicating passageways 92 and 58 forms the discharge outlet of the meter housing.

"In addition to the passageway 92 the column I0 is provided with three vertically extending. ducts 96a, 96b and 960 terminating at their upper ends in elongated ports 98a, 98b and 980, respectively, in the valve seat I2. These ports have side edges that are spaced from and extend generally parallel with the sides of the triangular port 94 and the ports are of such length that their ends extend to a line that might be drawn extending from the edges of the port 94 coincidentally therewith, as seen in Fig. 4.

"The lower ends of ducts 96a, 96b and 960 diverge outwardly in the arms 16 on the base Ill of the column and communicate with the ports 08a; 68b and 680, respectively, in the top 52 of thebase 46, which latter ports communicate with;

thebottoms of the cylinder wells "82a, 62b and 020. in -a manner previously described. It will be observed that a direct passageway from the bottom of each cylinder well to that port in the valve seat 12 on its left is thus formed, this pas.

s ageway being, for example, through opening 69a; duct 66a, port 68a, duct 96a and port 98a. Fluid may flow in either direction through these passageways, the direction of flow being controlled by a distributing valve, valve-operatingi This valve and operating plate are formed from:

a single bronze casting having a distributing valve I 00 of the general shape of an equilateral triangle in outline which is machined as described below. Fromthis valve a ring-shaped operating plate I02 is suspended in a horizontal planeby means of arms I04 which arch outwardly and downwardly from the apexes of the valve I00 and merge with the top surface of the ring I02. The ring and valve are both on the same vertical axis and the inner diameter of the plate is great enough to permit the plate to be suspended in spaced encircling relation with the column I0.

Valve I00 is provided with an equilateral triangular-shaped valve chamber I06 cast in its bottom side. This chamber has side walls I08 of approximately the same thickness as the width of the elongated ports 98a, 98b and 980 in the head of column 10. The bottom edges IIO on these side walls are carefully machined to correspond with the contour of the semi-spherical seat 12 so that these edges closely engage the seat when the valve is seated thereon, and the side walls are of sufiicient length to cover completely each of'the elongated ports when the valve is properly positioned at dead center. Each of the vertical axes of this triangular chamber I06 measured from any apex of the chamber to the inner surface of the side wall opposite that apex is of a length substantially equal to the distance from any apex of the triangular port 94 to the outeredge of the elongated port 98a, 98b or 980 oppositely disposed to that apex on .a line normal to the plane of the back edge of that port 98a, 98b or 980. This construction permits each of the elongated ports to be brought into communication singly with the triangular discharge port 94 and through this port with the discharge passageway extending through the column and base of the housing merely by progressively tilting the valve I00 to the proper extent around the seat I2 so that the valve moves on the head with a motion similar to the familiar precessional motion of a top or gyroscope.

When the valve is moved in this manner the discharge side of the meter is brought into communication successively with each of the ports 98a, 98b and 980 and through these ports re spectively, to ducts 96a, 96b and 960, ports 68a,

68b and B80, ducts 66a, 66b and 660, and openings 69a, 69b and 60c communicating with the bottom of the cylinder wells 62a, 62b and 620. At'the same time the elongated port removed in a clock-'- wise direction from the port which is in communication with the triangular discharge port 94 will be closed by one of the bottom edges I00 of the valve I00 and that elongated port removed in the counterclockwise direction willbe open to the incoming gasoline flowing into the meter housing so that its associated cylinder will be in communication with incoming gasoline at both its ends. 1

A downwardly directed force is exerted on the valve operating plate I02 in sequence by each of the pistons II2a, H21) and II2c, which reciprocate vertically in the cylinder-wells 62a, 62b

and 620, respectively, as indicated in Fig. 7, and this force'is communicated to the valve I00 by the plate I02. Each of these pistons is provided with a head having a hub I I4 upon which a metal backing plate H6 and a metal head plate H8 are secured. A leather cup washer I20 and cup washer supporting plate I22 are secured between the head and backing plates. The leather cup washer I20 is urged outwardly against the cylinder walls 64 by means of an annular coil spring 7 1.1, 24.'-underlyin ijthe inner: face pf; the. cup? .washer -:;:and: maintainedjinrpositions bylzthefiangedv ed of the? head "plate: ofzthe :pi-ston. '.7.Tht1S,:SI1bSta.nitiallyi leakeproof .contactsis: secured rbetweenzthe rpistoniandzthe' cylindenwalls 64.

:A :piston rod 1261s secured 130713116. hub; IA ;of reach piston .and is ;provided 'with ;-;a threaded upper .end .upon gwhich za ballfitti-lt'e 123 ...is screwed. :These::fittings have a -castellated head which receives cotter pin i3llrrthat.:extends rthrough a transuerse aperture adjacent .ithe-gupper end of. the pistonirod-si for locking. the ffittings --at: a:desiredpositioniof adjustmenton the piston rods.

The :ballfittings :I2tzseatying sockets .I-32;:in-;.the .sringa-like plate $92 {spaced 120 degrees .gapart. "Thus; if the value is assumedtobe;.atzdeadmenter, rthe; pistonrodswill be1 suspended:.from the. ring on; vertical; axes and; each of the;pistons; wilLbe .atizthermidmoint in its'rstroke. jsince the:only i-operating; force .onrthe :piston. heads ais directed downwardly theball fittings I28 ,do not havetobe secured. in thering but. merely seat; in the sockets 132. ;..It will beapparentjthat the-effective length :of therpiston rod I2 6 may. be -varied; by' removing 'i'COttGI" pin, I36 and :screwing; the' ballifitting up or-xdown .on the piston rod and then replacingjthe cotter pinto lock the ball fitting in the newposition of adjustment.

In )Figs;; 3 and T7. is; shown: .the means; for;;posii't-ively cutting; off. eachz'stroke of the pistons-when 1 they-reachitheir:bottomf limit. Onthesegfigures it;.will.be1notedithat along the inner edge .of plate I02: opposite reach: of 'the sockets I32 is an 1 in- -wardly projecting boss,v these bosses :being numrbered .:I34a,.fI'34b1and I340. .The :inner;-faces "of-these bossesare. convergingly. tapered to form fulcrum edges .I36a, I361): and: I360, respectively. At thexjdead .center position ofithe valveand r plate these edges ;are1- spa,ced .a .short distance from :three equally :spaced vertically extending :plane-surfaces I38a, I38?) and 'lfitciontheisides of column 10 over ;the; cylinder :wel1;62a, 162?) and 620; respectively. W'hen' the meter, is operating; the Zfulcrum edge over that: pistonwhich. is

: approaching .the. bottom of its strokewill. engage the. that 1surface' above that" piston and thereby cut ofiiurtherfldownward tilting of: the plate;- I 02 wand-valve. :I 60. by :the' piston so. that the stroke; of

."thepiston. isalso-cut off. In the ordinary op-.

:eration of .the meter the fulcrum-edge.abovejthat piston whichwis at the top :of its stroke -will; also be-engaged-with one. of 'theplane: surfaces. A distinctiadvantage results from this particular cut-off means and its arrangement because the --plate.iI62:iand valve I69 are :free to pivot slightly onthese-edges at the-end of .each-strokeuof the pistons" and in addition .they. are 1 free to rotate slightly in an angulardirection during the major :portion -.of each stroke so that the pathofatravel:

on the valve seat I2 will vary slightly fromi time to time. As a result, wear'on' the seat as a whole :is more tevenly distributedand' a grooved path is notcworn in the seat so that the'usefullife: of

-:a'-meterof this type is greater than that of'a through apertures in ;the jflange :I-5

:cured'. in the-boss and proiects upwardlyihfimfrom upon thevertical axis-.of the-:valve and boss. The upper end of the pin is roundedjor a purpose which will'be-described; presently. ;;In addition to the boss and pin the upper-surface of the headpiece is also provided-with an annular mechanism. This, cover, is; generallyqcyl-ind ical inshape and has gflssets 1-5.0 ca e l- :ith its side walls at intervals properly spaced sozthat the gussets will extend upwardly aboveqthe cylinder wells 62a, 62b and: 6,2c in the base. Along its bottom; ed e. th c ver is provided wi h ai-bas flan e I52 that :seats -onth top surface :j5lzof the housing basergifi. ,jIfhe two unitshare secured together by several'cap: Screws-154 whic threaded into tapp d openings ,1 .58 .inxthek B6 aligned with the11aperturesgin the-flange. In

terposed between this baseflange; andthtrfiop surface of thebase is; the gasket iasiwhichgextends to the edges of;the; top plate; -52-;,and insures a. leak-proof union between ;the twoyu-nits ptthe housing.

Centrally located upon the upper surface ;:.of the top wall of the coverA8,.isxa;th1eadfid: .annular boss I66 which has,a-;-tapped'verticalbore I62 extending 'therethrough, and through :the top wall, in which, theithreaded-stemofcan-adjusting pin I64 is secured. Onthe.lower.end of this pin is;an enlarged headJIBG having-a comically tapered tip I63. iiThezdistance,that'the tip of the pinVI64extends:.below"the':top-1wall of the housing can, of course, be variedby screwing the pin into thebossl 60 to the-desired extent and the pin is then lockedgin position by; means of a lock nut I10 threaded on? its upp r .end' and bearingagainst the top of .the boss I60. 'After the pin has been lockedfinpos'ition, a: hollow cap I12 is threaded on the boss I66 and completely encloses the end of the pin andrthe lock nut.

It will be noted inFigs. 2' and16. that. the: head I66 of this pin I64 extends, into the annular. recess I 46 on the top of :valve' I 00' to such amextent that the sidewall; of race I48 will engage the side wall ofithe taperedtip I68 whencthe two units of the housingaresecured together,

the extent of contact between the rtipeand jthe walls of the race determiningthe; degree to which the valve and plate may tilton-the seat. Byadjusting the pin upwardly the extent; of contact between thesesurfacesis decreased and thejtilt of the valve increased, thereby increasingithe stroke of the valve, and bycadjusting ithe'zpin downwardly the extent of contactbetweenirl he tip and Wall of the: recess is increasedtgand'gthe stroke of the valve shortened. Since the ;-upper end of the stem of the pin I64 projects ,aboye the boss I66 this adjustment can be made-withqut removing the cover of the housing.

Another function ofthe pin 164 is toprovide a journal for a register driving cam1 assembly I14 shown in Fig. 2. This assemblycomprises a brass hub I16 having an aperture I18 extending 'therethrough for rotatably securing the hub on the pin and a shoulder IBIkinthe-aperture which engages with; the: shoulder..:iorn1ed:at th -hat 1 drive cam I82 fixed in position thereon by means of well known drive pins I84, shown in Fig. 8, which also shows the configuration of the cam. It will be seen from this figure that the main disc-shaped body of the cam has a finger I86 that projects tangentially outwardly therefrom and is provided with an inner face I88 arching inwardly from the tip of finger I86 toward the center of the cam to a point where it intersects a plane face I90 on the cam. Spaced upwardly from the cam I82, the hub I16 is also provided with circumferentially extending gear teeth I92 which engage with the teeth on a driven gear I94 on the register driving-mechanism for driving the same when the meter is operating. g g

In the assembled meter the drive cam assembly I14 rotates on the pin I64 but it is supported at the proper elevation in the housing to engage the teeth I92 with the teeth on the driven gear I94 by the curved top surface I42 of the boss I40 on the top of valve I60, as seen in Figs. 2 and 6. The bottom face of the cam I82 rests on this top surface when the cover 48 is in position on the boss 46, while the upper end of hub I16 loosely engages with a boss I96 on the inner surface of the top wall of the cover 48 surrounding the bore I62'which extends through the top wall of the cover.

In the assembled meter the follower drive pin I 44 on the valve engages the longitudinally arched vertically curved face I08 of the cam and due to the drag imparted to the drive cam assembly by the driven mechanism a thrust outwardly directed relative to the vertical axis of the valve is exerted by the cam on the pin I44 and valve I whichtends to maintain the valve in a tilted position on the valve seat 12 at all times so that the tendency of the valve to wobble along a triangular path due to the downwardly directed force exerted by the pistons is overcome, and the two forces in conjunction move the valve in a precession-like manner, the axis'of the valve describing a cone. This thrust is suflicient to tilt the valve until the tapered side walls of the race I48 engage the tapered sides of the head I66 of pin I64 and to hold the parts in this position throughout the cycle of operation of the valve. precession-like manner on the valve seat 12 throughout its cycle of operation when driven by the pistons and communication between the ports in the valve seat is established in the proper manner to cause the meter to operate and to prevent bypassing any fluid directlyfrom the inlet to the outlet sides of the meter. Under ordinary conditions of operation, the drag imparted to the drive cam assembly I14 by the driven mechanism of the register is suificient to produce this action at all times so that full stroking of the valve is insured throughout its cycle of operation. In this manner the tendency to short stroke or to follow a triangular path which is a common fault of the valves in meters of this type is overcome.

The driven gear I94 of the register driving mechanism is nonrotatably secured on a spindle I98 which extends vertically upwardly through a packing gland 200 secured in a boss 202 formed in the top of cover 48. A register driving shaft 204 which is in vertical alignment with the spindle I98 issecured to the upper end thereof pro- As a result, the valve I00 moves in ajecting above the cover by means of a pin and slot type universal joint 206 so that the shaft and spindle rotate together. Thus, when a driving force is exerted on the valve I00 by the pistons and the valve is moved thereby, this movement is transmitted by the pin I44. to the cam I82 which at the same time exerts an outwardly directed thrust on the pin due to the drag in the driven mechanism, as previously explained, so that the pin and valve under the influence of these two forces move in a precession-like manner and the pin engaging the cam causes the cam and cam drive assembly I14 to rotate. As the hub I16 of this assembly rotates it drives the driven gear I94 through the teeth I92 thereon which mesh with the teeth on the driven gear and through this gear and spindle I98 the register drive shaft 204 is rotated. This latter shaft is connected to and drives the mechanism in register 44.

In the operation of the dispensing system, gasoline is forced by the pump I6 into the meter housing 28 through the inlet manifold 26. This manifold has a flange 208 which is secured to an auxiliary inlet chamber 2I0 cast integrally with the cover of the meter housing 28 and provided with an aperture 2l2 in its front wall which communicates with the inlet manifold. A plurality of cap screws 2I4 which pass through apertures in the flange 208 and are threaded into tapped openings 2I6 in the side walls of chamber 2I0 are used to secure the manifold to the inlet chamber, a gasket 2I8 being interposed between the flange 208 and the front wall of the inlet chamber to insure a fluidtight seal between these parts. From the inlet chamber 2I0 gasoline flows into the interior of the meter housing 28 through an inlet 220 located adjacent the bottom of the cover 48 so that the gasoline is admitted to the housing at a point immediately above the top surface of the base 46.

As previously explained, the meter is particularly adapted for use in the type of dispensing system which is 'filled with fluid at all times so that an immediate reduction of pressure occurs throughout the system when gasoline is dispensed from the nozzle 34. Due to the fact that the pump exerts a pressure of approximately twenty pounds per square inch on the gasoline in its outlet chamber, any reduction in pressure such as that produced by opening the valve 40 in nozzle 34 will result in a forward flow of gasoline from the pump to the meter and'from the meter to the nozzle in a manner now to be explained.

For the purpose of explaining the operation of the meter, it will be assumed that at the instant gasoline enters the meter housing 28 the pistons II2a and 20 are at the position indicated in Fig. 7, the piston II2a being at the bottom of its stroke in cylinder well 62a and the fulcrum edge I36a on the plate I02 in engagement with the fiat surface I38a on the column 10 adjacent its bottom. At this position of the parts, the .plate and valve are tilted toward the cylinder 62a and .the port 9801. in the head is closed by one of "the bottom edges I I0 of the valve so that the bottom of the cylinder well 62a is not in communication with either the inlet or outlet sides of the meter, but since the top of this well is open, it will be in communication with the incoming gasoline; 'At this time the piston H20 in cylinder well 62c is approaching the top of its stroke. No driving force will be exerted on it because the cylinder l 1 well 620 is in communication withthe incoming gasoline on its bottom end through port 980, duct 960, port 680, duct 66c and opening 69c and also 'on its upper side which opens into the housing. However, cylinder 62b 'is incommunication with -the incoming gasoline only on its upper end because the lower'end communicates through opening 69b,duct 661), port 68b;duct QBband port 98b with the valve chamber I06 and through this chamber with the triangular duct 94 that opens into thecommunicating discharge passageways 92 and 50. Because the pressure on the bottom side of piston I I2b'is reduced when gasoline is being dispensed, thepressure of the incoming gasoline on the top side of this-piston will force the piston downwardly in the cylinder '62b driving the gasoline on "the "bottom side of the piston outward through the'duc'ts'ports and discharge passageways previously'm'entioned,and thence out of the meter into the pipe line 30"and to the nozzle '34. While thisis occurring, the piston rod of piston II2b"ex'erts' a'downward pull on the plate I02 through the ball fitting I28, thus causing the plate to pivot slightly on the fulcrum edge I361) toward'cylinder 62b and,'a'sthe piston I I2b' continues "to move downwardly, the plate is tilted downwardly over this cylinder. This motion of 'theplat'e is imparted to the valve through the arms I04, and under the influence of this force in conjunctionwith theou'tw'ard thrust exerted by cam I82 the valve is "tilted along the 'seat I2 to a-point where it is tilted downwardly over cylinder 021). While the plate I02 is tilting toward cylinder 621), it 'pulls'piston I lie to the top ofitsstroke and, as the valve tilts toward cylinder"62b,it'progressively-uncovers port 96a to the incoming"gasoline'so that both'ends of the cylinder 'well" 62a are 'in communication with incominggasoline and progressively closes-port 982) so that "communication between the bottomof cylinder 62b and thedischarge side' of the meter is gradually cut ofi and completely'closed off when piston I I 2breaches the bottom of itsstroke.

"Concurrently with the above action, communication between the' bottom "of cylinder "62c and the incoming gasoline is graduallycut 'oiT due to the iactth'at'one bottom edge "I I o'f'the valve moves'to a po sition'ove'rthe port 980 so that'this portiscompletely coveredby one'of the bottom edges'o-r the valve at the time the piston II 2b has completed approximately half of its downward movement, at-wl'iich timepiston I120 isat thetop of its -stroke. Asthepi'ston I'I2bis completing its downward movement and the plate and valve are tilted progressively toward the cylinder well 621), port 98c is gradually brought irito communi'cationwiththe"chamber I06 in the valve I 00 and through it to the discharge side of the meter so that a" downward force will be e'ize'rt'edon piston 'II-2cd'uring the next interval in the-cycle of operation of the meter.

For a short 'intervalbf time after th'e"plate I02 and'va'lv'e' I 00' begin to tilt 'tow'a'rd cylinder 52b, piston I I-2a' remains"stationaryl'anii during this intervalthefbottom of cylinder 6211 'is'brou'ght into communication with the incoming" gasoline but further 'tilting of the plate toward cylinder 62b "causes" an upward 'pull to be exerted on 'the piston rod of piston "I I'2aso that it begins to move upwardly "in cylinder well 62a; this movement being unimpeded because the pressure of the gasoline onfboth sides of the piston is the same. By the time the piston IIZb'hasrea'ched theb'ottom o'f its stroke and piston I no has reached the top'of its stroke, piston 112a has 1' 2 been moved-upwardlypasti-ts dead center posi tionand is approaching the top of its stroke. Thus, the operating mechanism of the meter-is in the same relative position as that shown in Fig. 7, but at a point degrees removed in a counterclockwise direction from Fig. 7.

When the mechanism has reached the last position, it will be seen that in the next interval of the cycle-of operation of the valve the driving 'force will be exerted on piston 20, forcing it down in well 620 and driving the gasoline in the lower part of well 620 out of the meter in the same manner that it was driven from well 02b, as described above. At the same time the plate I02'and valve I00 will be tilted toward cylinder 620, thus opening port 98b-to'the incoming gasoline port 98a to the valve chamber I06 and discharge side "of the meter 'and'closing port 980. This tilting of the plate will also cause an upward pull to be exerted on piston' I I2a-to bring it to the topof the stroke and-on piston H217 to move it to approximately the top of its stroke so that the meter will be setto go through the last movement of its cycle of operation in which the driving force is exerted on piston 211.

From the description of the operation of the meter above set -forth, it will be observed that the valve and valve operating plate move in a precession-like manner in a counterclockwise direction. 'It willalso be observed that any downward movement of the pistons is due to the fact that the pressure of the incoming gasoline on their upper sides is greater than that of the discharging gasoline on their lower sides and that each upward movement of the pistons occurs when th'e'pressure on bothof its sides is equalized due to the fact that the incoming gasoline is in communication with the cylinder well on both sides of the piston. Hence,'the volumetric displacement of the meter is not affected by movement of the piston in an upward direction and the meter will register accurately. Furthermore, the'disch-arge side of the meter cannot under any circumstances be brought into direct communication with the incoming gasoline. At all times in-a cycleof operation it-communicates only with the bottom of-a cylinder in which the piston is movingdownwardlyand at such times this end of the-cylinder is'not in communication with the incoming gasoline and it will not be broughtinto communication with this "gasolineuntil a short interval after the piston moving therein has'completed its downward stroke.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new-'and'useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent or the United States is:

I -l. In a fluid meter havinga housing enclosing a plurality of pistons reciprocable in cylinders communicating 'at their upper ends with the interior of the'h'ousing and provided with 'an'in'let for .fluid under pressure and an outlet for "discharging fluid, the combination comprising 'a va lve seat having a discharge outlet and a'plurality of 'ports communicating respectively with the lower ends of said cylinders; a'valve movable 'onsaid seat, said valve having a'spherically curved upper side, register driving. mechanism, and means cooperating with said'piston's forimparting precession-like movement to said valve to establish the communication aforementioned in a predetermined sequence when fluid under pressure .is admitted"to"said housing including an "axially projecting follower fixed-to said valve and a cam 'rotatableup'onan axis fixed in said housing for 'operating's'aid register driving mechacrea e anism andaxially movable upon said axis, said camhaving a follower engaging face convexly outwardly curved relative to the point of driving engagement between said face and-follower for imparting an outwardly directed thrust to the valve and a flat side adapted to engage the curved upper side of the valve for maintaining the cam in the plane of movement of said follower.

2; In a fluid meter having a housing enclosing a plurality of pistons reciprocable in cylinders communicating therewith at their upper ends and provided with an inlet for fluid under pressure and an outlet for discharging fluid, the combination comprising a valve for communicating the lower ends of said cylinders with the interior of said housing and with said outlet, ,register driving mechanism, and means coopersaid race for limiting tilting movement'of said valve, said pin having a tip tapered for line contact with said race when the meter is operating.

3. In a fluid meter having a housing enclosing a plurality of pistons reciprocable in cylinders communicating therewith at their upper ends and provided with an inlet for fluid under pressure and an outlet for discharging fluid, the combination comprising a valve for communicating the lower ends of said cylinders with the interior of said housing and with said oulet, register driving mechanism, and means cooperating with said pistons for imparting precession-like movement to said valve to establish the communication aforementioned in a predetermined sequence when fluid under pressure is admitted to said housing, including a cam on said register driving mechanism, cam driving means on said valve, said cam and driving means having surfaces cooperating when in driving engagement to impart an outward thrust to said valve to tilt the same, an annular race on said valve having a face inclined to the race axis, and a rigid pin adapted to be engaged by the inclined face of said race for limiting tilting movement of said valve and having a tip tapered complementary to the angular position of the inclined face side of the race as it moves past said tip, said pin being axially adjustable to vary the extent of contact between said tip and race for thereby varying the angle to which said valve may tilt.

4. In a fluid meter having a housing enclosing a plurality of pistons reciprocable in cylinders communicating therewith at their upper ends and provided with an inlet for fluid under pressure and an outlet for discharging fluid, the combination comprising a valve for communicating the lower ends of said cylinders with the interior of said housing and with said outlet, register driving mechanism, and means cooperatin with said pistons for imparting precession-like movement to said valve to establish the communication aforementioned in a predetermined sequence when fluid under pressure is admitted to said housing, including a cam on said register driving mechanism, cam driving means on said valve, said cam and driving means having surfaces cooperating when in driving engagement to impart an outward radial thrust to said valve to tilt the same, an annular race on said valve having a face inclined to the race axis, and a rigid pin adapted to be engaged by the inclined face of said race for limiting tiltin movement of said valve, said pin forming a journal for said cam and having a tip tapered complementary tothe angular position of the inclined face of the race as it moves past said tip, said pin being axially adjustable to vary the extent of contact between said tip and race for thereby varying the angle to which said valve may tilt.

5. In a fluid meter having a housing enclosing a plurality of pistons reciprocable in cylinder wells formed in a cylinder block and communi cating at their upper ends with said housing, the combination comprising a tubular column extending upwardlyrelative to said cylinder wells and having a semi-spherical valve seat formed thereon with a discharge outlet duct and a plurality of ports connected respectively to the lower ends of said cylinders, a valve on said seat for controlling communicatin through said ports and discharge outlet, an operating member con nected to said valve and pistons and surrounding said column, means forming inwardly projecting fulcrums on said operating member opposite the place of connection of said pistons thereto, said column having surface areas extending above said cylinders upon which said fulcrum forming means are adapted to engage for limiting movement of said operating memher under the influence of said pistons and thereby positively cutting off the stroke of the pistons.

6. In a fluid meter having a housing enclosing a plurality of pistons reciprocable in cylinder Wells formed in a cylinder block and communicating at their upper ends with said housing, the combination comprising a tubular column extending upwardly relative to said cylinder wells and having a semi-spherical valve seat formed thereon with a discharge outlet duct and a plurality of ports connected respectively to the lower ends of said cylinders, said tubular member having external chordal plane surface areas extending axially upwardly above said cylinders, a valve on said seat for controlling communication through said ports and discharge outlet, means for operatively connecting said valve and pistons including an annular member encompassing said column, and means forming inwardly projecting chordally extending fulcrums on said annular member opposite the plane surface areas on said column adapted to engage the same for limiting movement of said annular member under the influence of said piston and thereby limiting the stroke of the piston.

'7. In a fluid meter having a housing enclosing a plurality of pistons reciprocable in cylinder wells formed in a cylinder block and communicating at their upper ends with said housing, the combination comprising a tubular column extending upwardly relative to said cylinder wells and having a semispherical valve seat formed thereon with a discharge outlet duct and a plurality of ports connected respectively to the lower ends of said cylinders, said tubular member having external chordal plane surface areas extending axially upwardly above said cylinders, a valve on said seat for controlling communication through said ports and discharge outlet, an operating member connected to said valve 15 a d pistons and-encomnessing said column and m n formin iinvr rdlvnr iect n a 161 155 on said o ratin memb r havin nwa dl tim n ful rum edges opnos te'the p a e sur a e a e on said co umn adapte to eng t m v z h tine m veme t o t sa o erate-lamenher under the influenceof fiai fiistpns and therebylimiting the strokeof the same, saidfulcrum edges being spaced sufliciently from said .plane surface-areas to ,allow said-val-ve and operating member freedom for limited pivotal movement between the limits of said piston stroke whereby the flthof travel ofsai-d valve on said seat may vary slightly from time to time.

8. In a fluid flow meter having-a plurality of pistons reciprocable in measuring cylinders ,dis-

,tributed around .a central axis and a valve operable Joy-the pistons ,for directing the flow of :fiuid through the .meter to move the pistons sequenltia11v,-the valve including avalve seat anda valve slider, connected with the pistons for precession likesmovement on the seat, the axis of thevalve slider describinga generally conical path abcut the central'axis, the improvement which ,com-

prises providing a register driving cam mounted .for rotation about the central axis of the meter,

and a cam driving projection on the valve slider extending toward the cam along thelaxisof the slider, -the cam having .a camming surface .for

engagin the projection, the surface being sloped outwardly with respect to the central axis and recedingly with respect to the projection .to pro- ,vide anoutward thrust reaction component upon ,theipliojection .for urging the valve-.s'lider toward tilted Position with respect to the central axis.

9 ,In a fluid .flow meter having a plurality vof pistons reciprqcable in measuring c li rs istributed around a central axis and a valve opera'ble by the pistons for directing the flow of fluid through the meter to move the pistons sequentially, the valve including a valvevseatand a valve slider connected with the pistonsfor precession-like movement on the seat, the aXis of the valve slider describing a generally conical path about the central axis, the improvement which comprisesprovidinga register drivin cam mounted tor rot tion about the-oent ahaxis of themeter.

and an; d vin proj ct on on th valvey lide exte di toward-therein -l l l l. th -am hav ns s u. for en a in the p is 1 th terrac bei g ar chedioutwardlyl vh s V. and away from the projection to provide a outward thrust reaction component upon the pro.- jectionfor urging the val-veslider toward tilted position with r espect to thecentral axis.

l0. Ina flu-idfiow meter having a plurality of pistons ,reciprocable inineasuring cylinders .distributed around .a central axis and a valve operslider, the pin having a rounded tip, the cam having a curved camming surface for en a ng t e'p i 'o aqei ei l a hed outwardly with respect to the central axis and away from theipin to provide an outward thrust reaction component upon 'the pin for urging the valve slider toward tiltedposition with respect 'to the central axis.

EUGENE mesme REFERENCE-S CITE-1) I {The following references are of recordin the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES .PAYIEN'IS u be m Dat 575,991 schonheyd'eryfl u fl Jan; 726,111.97 2,021,832 Bechtold Nov. go, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date '3.'Z3;93 3 JGreat Britain June 2, 

